Colchester boxer Lewis Richardson stretched his 2017 winning run to four, as his preparations for the national championships received another boost with victory over Dan Gibson of Norwich in the Eastern Counties middleweight final in Harlow.

Richardson, 19, who represents Essex University Boxing Club, stopped his opponent in the third round, as he continued to establish himself as one of the country’s leading young boxers.

“This was another important result for me, and I’m delighted with the way the year is going for me so far,” said Richardson after the fight.

“I was delighted to win inside the distance, and all in all my confidence ahead of the national championships is growing all the time, though I know I still have lots of hard work still to do.”

Indeed, by his own admission, the England international acknowledges he is sometimes too cautious at the start of the contest while he tries to work his opponent out, and this contest against Gibson was no exception.

But towards the end of the opening round, Richardson was starting to impose his authority, and the second saw him quickly establish himself as he connected with a hard-left uppercut through the middle, followed by a solid right hook to his opponent’s head.

This caused the Norwich boxer problems, though he came out for round three determined to make his own mark, but nifty footwork and quick combinations from the Colchester boxer swiftly dealt with any potential threat, allowing Richardson to back his opponent to the ropes, where he unleashed a solid left and right hook to the body.

Now clearly on top, Gibson was struggling to cope, and after a powerful left uppercut from Richardson darted through the middle, the referee steeped in to give the Norwich boxer a count.

It was clear that Gibson was in no fit state to continue, as acknowledged by his corner, who threw in the towel to save their boxer from further punishment.

Said Richardson: “This was a good win, and I was pleased with the way I dealt with any potential difficulties, and with how I imposed my authority.”